The Recruiter’s Guide To Event Networking

The recruitment industry is built around relationships—relationships with your clients, candidates, colleagues, and peers. Networking is the fuel on which these relationships run, and industry events are one of the best platforms for your networking efforts. Use these tips to make the most out of your networking.

Before The Event

Do Your Research: There are endless opportunities to network at recruitment events, but a little research in advance will ensure that you make the most of your limited time at the event. Research ahead of time to:

Find designated networking breaks and networking events: Many conferences and events now schedule networking breaks. Sometimes these networking events occur a day before or after the official event dates, so be sure to check the event website for the full list of events.

Pick your sessions strategically: Audience demographics will differ depending on the session’s subject matter. If you’re hoping to connect with an individual with a specific background or role, consider attending a session tailored to that role.

Study up on key attendees before the event: Are there any specific people you’re hoping to meet at the event? Look them up ahead of time to learn more about them. A little knowledge goes a long way. Looking for inroads to develop a new relationship? Check their LinkedIn profile for any common connections that can introduce you.

Reach Out To Key Connections: If you’re planning to meet up with a specific person, coordinate a time to meet in advance. You may want to attend a session together or meet up at a reception or after-party. Most staffing events are fast-paced, so it’s a good idea to schedule in some guaranteed time to meet up with important connections.

During The Event

Don’t Limit Yourself to One Networking Outcome: Networking can serve more than one purpose. It’s ok to network with a specific goal in mind, but be open to the other benefits of networking too. Here are some potential reasons to network:

Learn from the experts: Does the event you’re attending offer time to talk to the speakers? Take advantage of being there in person and pick the brain of thought leaders and influencers.

Learn from your peers: The recruitment industry doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Use the time with your peers in the industry to discuss strategies for bettering your business and becoming better at what you do.

Make friends: The recruitment industry is intimate enough that you’ll run into many of the same individuals at different events. Friendships make these events less lonely and more fun. They can also introduce you to connections you wouldn’t meet otherwise.

Drive word-of-mouth recommendations: The more relationships you build, the more likely you are to develop valuable referrals.

Win new business: 95 per cent of surveyed business professionals say face-to-face meetings are essential for long-term business relationships.

Find valuable candidates: According to a recent study from staffing expert Lou Adler, 85 per cent of jobs are filled through networking. While it’s hard to beat social networking for speed and efficiency, networking in person can be vital for placing senior and executive-level positions.

Be someone worth talking to: Networking is a two-way street. The other person doesn’t exist to further your goals. Give them a reason to build a relationship with you. Be insightful, helpful, funny, or interesting depending on your strengths and what the situation calls for.

Don’t be pushy: If you steamroll your way through a conversation with an agenda, your potential prospect will notice. Let the flow of the conversation dictate the right time to pitch.

After The Event

Follow Up: Your networking isn’t over when the event ends. Connect with new contacts on LinkedIn, and personalise your message with the details of your interaction. Contacts can tell when you send a stock, bulk message. Alternatively, send them an email. Hubspot provides a template for following up with contacts you’ve met through networking.

Nurture Your Relationships Through Social Media: Make a Twitter list of the contacts you’ve met through networking and reach out to them periodically. If you’re connected on LinkedIn, comment on their updates and congratulate them on professional accomplishments.

Put your new networking skills to the test at Engage, one of the largest events for staffing professionals. Learn more about Engage London 2019.

About Bullhorn

Bullhorn is the global leader in software for the recruitment industry. More than 11,000 companies rely on Bullhorn’s cloud-based platform to power their recruitment processes from start to finish. Headquartered in Boston, with offices around the world, Bullhorn is founder-led and employs more than 1,000 people globally. To learn more, visit www.bullhorn.com/uk or follow @BullhornUK on Twitter.

J.R. Stricker

SVP, Global Support & Training

As Senior Vice President, Global Support and Training, J.R. leads our global Support and Training for all Bullhorn product lines. J.R. directs both the company’s customer service and training efforts around the world engaging customers throughout all points in the customer journey, both proactively and reactively, delivering incredible customer experiences via transactional interactions and client engagements. He brings a broad range of customer service leadership skills and experience to the company spanning performance management, project management, employee and leadership development, organizational design, and strategy which all align to focus on driving an incredible customer experience. Prior to joining Bullhorn, J.R. led call center optimization efforts for AT&T Mobility, directing the call center strategy for more than 100 contact centers. J.R. has spent 20 years working in the contact center space and has held a number of key leadership roles prior to joining Bullhorn.

Jonathan Novich

SVP of Product and Salesforce

Jonathan Novich is SVP of Product and Salesforce for Bullhorn, the global leader in CRM and operations software for the recruitment industry. A staffing technology innovator, he has developed broad and deep product and technical experience consulting to staffing firms over the past 15 years. Jonathan has acted as an independent consultant for some of the largest staffing companies in the world and advised companies on acquisition targets.
At Bullhorn, he oversees product initiatives as more than 10,000 staffing companies rely on Bullhorn’s cloud-based platform to drive sales, build relationships, and power their recruitment processes from end to end. He graduated with honors from Princeton University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Computer Science and a certificate in Operations Research.